London-based startup Aeropowder has secured a £150,000 investment from the British Design Fund (BDF), a notable early-stage investor in British manufacturing.
This funding will support the launch of Aeropowder’s thermal packaging product, PluumoPlus, designed for the life sciences industry and cold chain logistics.
Aeropowder, known for creating sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics using surplus feathers, will also receive expert mentoring from BDF to accelerate their growth plans.
This investment will enable the company to manufacture its first units of PluumoPlus and deliver them to a waiting list that includes some of the largest pharmaceutical and life science logistics companies globally.
Innovative Roots and Sustainable Vision
Co-founder and biologist Dr. Ryan Robinson began developing Aeropowder’s innovative solutions while completing his PhD at Imperial College London.
He participated in a research project that explored novel uses for waste feathers, which are often incinerated or turned into low-grade animal feed. Europe generates an estimated three million tonnes of waste feathers annually.
Aeropowder’s patented solution offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic materials like expanded polystyrene, which are commonly used for temperature-sensitive goods.
PluumoPlus can maintain an internal temperature of 2-8°C for over 72 hours, even in external temperatures averaging 30°C. This makes it a pioneering product in thermal packaging, providing superior performance while minimizing environmental impact.
Future Developments and Industry Impact
In addition to thermal packaging, Aeropowder plans to develop acoustic panels and other building insulation materials. The company’s second patent focuses on oil absorption materials, designed to clean up environmental spillages without using plastic foams.
Dr. Robinson highlighted the importance of novel materials and processes in addressing pressing environmental and economic challenges. He emphasized the role of natural ecosystems and the circular economy in minimizing and repurposing waste streams productively.
Damon Bonser, CEO of the British Design Fund, expressed enthusiasm for Aeropowder’s potential. “Aeropowder ticks all the boxes for us.
They are a creative and ambitious team, developing an innovative range of products that have the potential to make a positive impact across the world.
Innovations such as this, which support the transition to sustainable materials, are so important, and we look forward to working closely with the team to help bring their ideas forward,” Bonser said.
With this investment, Aeropowder is poised to make significant strides in sustainable packaging and beyond, offering innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
